annual implementation report 2017 - en interreg si-at · this is the third annual implementation...

ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT

2017

Cooperation programme

Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria

in the programme period 2014–2020

1

Annual Implementation Report 2017

Content 1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE ANNUAL/FINAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT ...................................... 2

2. OVERVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME (ARTICLE 50(2) OF

REGULATION (EU) NO 1303/2013 AND ARTICLE 14(3)(A) OF REGULATION (EU) No 1299/2013) ......... 2

3. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRIORITY AXIS (ARTICLE 50(2) OF REGULATION (EU) NO 1303/2013)

4

4. SYNTHESIS OF THE EVALUATIONS (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) .............. 18

5. ISSUES AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAMME AND MEASURES TAKEN

(ARTICLE 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) ............................................................................... 20

6. CITIZEN'S SUMMARY (Article 50(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) ................................... 20

7. REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Article 46 of Regulation

(EU) No 1303/2013) .............................................................................................................................. 21

8. WHERE APPROPRIATE, PROGRESS IN PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF MAJOR

PROJECTS AND JOINT ACTION PLANS (Article 101(h) and Article 111(3) of Regulation (EU) No

1303/2013 and Article 14(3)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013) .................................................... 22

9. ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME (Article 50(4) of

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013) ......................... 25

10. OBLIGATORY INFORMATION AND ASSESSMENT ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 14(4), Subparagraph

1 (a) and (b), of REGULATION (EU) No 1299/2013 ............................................................................... 26

11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WHICH MAY BE ADDED DEPENDING ON THE CONTENT AND

OBJECTIVES OF THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME (Article 14(4), subparagraph 2 (a), (b), (c) and (f), of

REGULATION (EU) No 1299/2013) ........................................................................................................ 26

12. Financial information at priority axis and programme level (Articles 21(2) and 22(7) of Regulation

(EU) No 1303/2013) .............................................................................................................................. 27

13. SMART, SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH .......................................................................... 28

14. ISSUES AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAMME AND MEASURES TAKEN –

PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) ................................ 28

2


1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE ANNUAL/FINAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT

CCI 2014TC16RFCB054

Title Cooperation programme Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria

Version 1.0

Reporting year 2017

Date of approval of the report by the Monitoring Committee

7 March 2018

Date of approval of the report by the European Commission

6 June 2018

2. OVERVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME (ARTICLE 50(2) OF REGULATION (EU) NO 1303/2013 AND ARTICLE 14(3)(A) OF REGULATION (EU) No 1299/2013) Key information on the implementation of the cooperation programme for the year concerned, including

on financial instruments, with relation to the financial and indicator data.

This is the third Annual Implementation Report (AIR) for the Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A Slovenia-

Austria for the period 2014-2020. It reports on the implementation of the programme during the calendar

year 2017. The report was prepared by the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion

Policy (GODC), acting as the Managing Authority (MA) of the programme in cooperation with the Joint

secretariat (JS) and the programme partners. The Monitoring Committee (MC) discussed and approved the

AIR 2017 at the 5th MC Meeting, which was held on 6 and 7 March 2018.

In 2017, the implementation of the programme ran very actively with approving 10 additional projects,

getting the positive opinion on the designation of the MA/Certifying Authority (CA), sending the first

payment request to the European Commission (EC), closing the 3rd deadline for submission of project

applications, etc. The MA and JS met twice with the programme partners (National/Regional Authorities

(NAs/RAs), CA, First Level Control (FLC)) at the Bilateral working group (BWG) meetings, namely on 12 June

2017 in Maribor and 14 November 2017 in Unterpremstätten to discuss topics related to the programme

implementation.

On 1 and 2 February 2017, the MC members met at their 3rd meeting in order to decide on the project

applications received within the 2nd deadline for submission. 10 projects (6 projects in the frame of priority

axis 1, 1 project in the frame of priority axis 2, and 3 projects in the frame of priority axis 3) in the amount

of 11,495,011.00 EUR ERDF funds were approved in 2017 for co-financing. On 5 April 2017, the Subsidy

contracts for the co-financing with funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) were

signed. For the beneficiaries of these projects, the workshop on reporting for the projects approved in the

frame of the 2nd deadline was held on 14 June 2017 in Dobrna. The same programme body met also on 23

May 2017, at the 4th MC meeting to discuss the date for the 3rd deadline for submission and approved the

AIR 2016, the Communication plan 2017, etc.

Within the 3rd deadline for the submission of projects, which closed on 14 September 2017, one workshop

intended for potential applicants was carried out on 14 June 2017 in Dobrna. In the frame of the workshop,

the JS briefly presented the participants the Cooperation Programme, information concerning the Open

Call, presented the Rules on the eligibility of the expenditure, the requirements concerning information and

communication, the annexes to the application form and the electronic Monitoring System (eMS), in which

applicants enter and submit their project applications. The workshop was attended by more than 60

participants, which shows that there was still a great interest of potential applicants.

3


In order to assure a smooth implementation of the programme on all levels, the MA and JS organised the

training on the use of the eMS information system for all national control units on 21 March 2017 and the

workshop on eMS for auditors from both countries on 31 May 2017.

Designation process

On 8 March 2017, the programme received the positive opinion on the designation of MA and CA.

Other information and publicity measures

The MA's deputy head visited the EU representation of Carinthia in Brussels in March 2017, where he

informed the high-ranking delegation, led by the president of the regional parliament, Ing. Reinhart Rohr,

about the programme's achievements. Especially stressed were the programme’s contribution to the

‘opening of borders’ and the usage of the joint development potential of the border area between Carinthia

and Slovenia.

The MA and JS also hosted two study visits. The first one took place on 22 June 2017, when master students

from the University of Applied Sciences from Burgenland visited the GODC. The second study visit of

students from the Alpen-Adria University Klagenfurt, visiting together with a representative of the Kärntner

Wirtschaftsförderungsfonds (KWF), took place on 10 November 2017, also at the GODC in Ljubljana. In the

frame of both visits, the deputy head of the MA and the head of the JS welcomed the participants and

presented the European cohesion policy in general, the cooperation programme and the results of some co-

financed projects.

The major annual event of the programme was carried out on 23 September 2017 together with two other

CBC programmes in the frame of the European Cooperation Day 2017. The event was organised as a hike

over the Pohorje hill of Maribor, Slovenia. The aim was to present the projects and programmes that are

implemented with funds from the ERDF. A group of 350 participants from Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and

Croatia, which arrived with organised bus transportation, had a closer look at three projects that are being

implemented. PalaeoDiversiStyria, co-financed in the frame of the SI-AT programme, was presented at the

last station of the hike. The project attempts to communicate new archaeological and archaeobotanical

findings in order to promote understanding of cultural heritage and tradition in agriculture.

In the frame of the programme's website, 42 news on activities, events and relevant information were

published in 2017. These were, in addition, distributed as e-newsletters. For spreading news about the

programme, also the programme's Facebook page was used.

Reimbursement of funds

By the end of 2017, Subsidy contracts in the amount of 24,107,125.67 EUR ERDF funds were signed for the

23 projects, which represents 54 % of the funds available for projects. Including the Technical Assistance

(TA) projects, the programme has committed 56 % of all available funds.

In relation to the financial data, 1,537,172.16 EUR ERDF (in total 1,938,690.19) funds were certified. In July

2017, the first payment request was sent to the EC in the amount of 94,730.79 EUR. The second payment

request was sent in December 2017 in the amount of 1,426,563.08 EUR. All approved projects are still in

implementation, therefore, in relation to the indicator data, the progress can be measured only on the level

of the selected projects (see table 2). None of the projects fully implemented the activities by the end of

2017.

4


3. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRIORITY AXIS (ARTICLE 50(2) OF REGULATION (EU) NO 1303/2013)

3.1. Overview of the implementation

ID Priority axis Key information on the implementation of the priority axis with reference to key developments, significant problems and steps taken to address these problems

A.1 1. Strengthening cross- border Competitiveness, Research and Innovation

In 2017, the final decision on the project applications received in the frame of the 2nd deadline for submission was reached. 6 projects were approved for implementation under PA 1, namely ABS – Network, RETINA, CapaCon, Start-up AA, EXPEDIRE and Passport to Export. Within the first two deadlines, 70% of all available ERDF funds were committed. Due to the amount of all funds available in the frame of PA 1, in connection to the programme specific indicators that still have to be reached, the MC members decided to publish the recommendation on the programme’s website that project applications for this priority axis should not exceed 0,5 Mio. EUR ERDF funds. Based on the evaluation of the 1st and 2nd deadline, also the information that not all planned programme output indicators, referring to the promotion of cooperation of research institutions and enterprises, research projects and projects on internationalisation have been reached yet was published. Within the 2nd deadline of the Open Call in 2017, 6 projects were approved and started with the implementation under this priority axis, covering the Investment priority 1b. The contracted ERDF amount for those six projects is 5,859,081.55 EUR. Altogether, by the end of 2017, 11 projects were contracted in the amount of 10,483,725.90 EUR ERDF, which is 48 % of all contracted projects. This shows the high interest of projects in covering the cross-border competitiveness, research and innovation content. On 14 September 2017, the 3rd deadline closed. 44 project applications were received, out of which 17 belonged to PA 1. The final decision on those projects has not been taken by the end of 2017. At this stage, no significant problems have been identified in the implementation of the PA 1.

A.2 2. Protecting the Environment and Promoting Resource Efficiency

One project, covering the Investment priority 6c, was approved within PA 2 in 2017. It was the project Alpe Adria Karawanke/Karawanken in the amount of 2,464,908.32 EUR ERDF. Altogether, by the end of 2017, 6 projects were contracted in the amount of 7,793,449.66 EUR ERDF, which is 26 % of all contracted projects. Based on the evaluation of the 1st and 2nd deadline for the submission of project applications, it was determined that within PA 2, the values of the indicators related to the topics of bio- and geodiversity as well as flood protection have not been reached yet, therefore, this information was published on the programme website and stressed at the workshop for potential applicants in the frame of the 3rd deadline for submission. To promote these topics and to further support the applicants in preparing project applications being in line with the programme requirements, we have also emphasized this within individual advisory meetings with the applicants. On 14 September 2017, the 3rd deadline closed. 44 projects were received, out of which 12 belong to PA 2 (10 to IP 6c and 2 to IP 6f). The final decision on those projects has not been taken by the end of 2017. At this stage, no significant problems have been identified in the implementation of the PA 2.

A.3 3. Enhancing Institutional Capacity and an Efficient Public Administration

Three projects were approved within PA3 in 2017 and started with the implementation, covering the Investment priority 11b. The contracted ERDF amount for those three projects is 3,540,757.53 EUR. Altogether, by the end of 2017, 6 projects were contracted in the amount of 5,829,950.11 EUR ERDF, which is 26 % of all contracted projects. Based on the evaluation of the 1st and 2nd deadline for the submission of project applications, it was determined that within PA 3, the values of the indicators related to risk management and improving public services are still missing, therefore, this information was published on the programme website and stressed

5


at the workshop for potential applicants in the frame of the 3rd deadline for submission. Due to the measures taken in 2017 (emphasizing specific topics at workshops and individual consultations), project applications received within the 3rd deadline were administratively and qualitatively much better prepared than project applications received in the first two deadlines. On 14 September 2017, the 3rd deadline closed. 44 projects were received, out of which 15 belong to PA 3. The final decision on those projects has not been taken by the end of 2017. At this stage, no significant problems have been identified in the implementation of the PA 3.

A.4 4. Technical assistance

The allocation of the TA funds aims at ensuring the efficient and smooth implementation of the cooperation programme and at a proficient operation of all bodies, which are needed for the frictionless and successful programme implementation. The TA is divided into 7 projects: TA1 – MA and JS, TA2 – CA, TA3 – NA Slovenia, TA3 – RA Carinthia, TA3 – RA Styria, TA3 – RA Burgenland, TA4 – AA /AB. The TA budget for 2014-2020 period amounts to 3,000,000.00 EUR ERDF. In 2017, the following activities were implemented within the TA projects:

- implementation, management and monitoring of the programme, - organisation of two MC meetings (approval of projects, update on the

current stage of programme implementation, Annual Implementation Report 2016, results of the 1st evaluation of the programme, anti-fraud, conflict of interests, irregularities, audits, update on information and publicity activities - EC Day 2017, etc.)

- two workshops, one intended for potential applicants and the other for reporting were carried out on 14 June 2017 in Dobrna

- on 21 March 2017, the training on the use of the eMS information system for all national control units and on 31 May 2017 the workshop on eMS for auditors from both countries were organised

- two BWG meetings, namely on 12 June 2017 in Maribor and on 14 November 2017 in Unterpremstätten to discuss topics related to the programme implementation were organised

- organisation of the event “Pohorje tour”, under the auspices of the EC Day initiative (23rd September 2017)

- advising/support of potential applicants, partners of already submitted project applications and face-to-face meetings with Lead Partners (LPs)/Project Partners (PPs) of approved projects

- preparation of the corrigendum and related documentation of the Open Call

- assessment of project applications submitted in the frame of the 3rd deadline for submission

- preparation of two written procedures - preparation or update of programme documents (Description of

Management and Control System, Guidelines on State aid (V2.1), Irregularity Guideline (draft V2), Guidelines for Archiving and Closure, Arachne manual_V1, Manual on verification of expenditure (V2), Implementation Manual for beneficiaries (modification of Part 2, 3, 5, 6, 7)

- 10 Subsidy contracts have been prepared and signed - signing ceremony for projects approved within the 2nd deadline for

submission was organised on 5 April 2017 in Klagenfurt/Celovec. - 1,537,172.16 EUR ERDF (in total 1,938,690.19) have been certified - two payment requests were sent to the EC - the programme website has been updated with news, FAQs, information

on programme and project implementation, etc. At this stage, no significant problems have been identified in the implementation of the PA 4 (Technical Assistance).

6

3.2. Common and programme specific indicators (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

Data for common and programme-specific indicators by investment priority transmitted using the tables 1 to 2 below.TABLE 1: Result indicators (by priority axis and specific

objective); applies also to technical assistance priority axis

Automatic from SFC ANNUAL VALUE

ID Indicator Measurement Unit

Baseline Value

Baseline Year

Target Value (2023) 2

01

4

20

15

20

16

1

20

17

20

18

20

19

20

20

20

21

20

22

20

23

Observations (if necessary)

1b.1 R&D Intensity percentage

3.1

%

20

11

3.3

%

/ 3.1

3.1

3.1

Frequency of reporting 2018, 2020, 2023

1b.2 Enterprises with innovation cooperation with cooperation partners from Europe

Number

86

0

20

12

90

3

/

86

0

86

0

86

0


1b.3 Number of exporting companies

Number

17

,69

5

20

12

18

,22

0

/

17

,69

5

17

,69

5

17

,69

5


6c Overnight stays Number

33

,12

7,3

02

20

13

36

,12

4,8

69

/

33

,12

7,3

02

33

,12

7,3

02

33

,12

7,3

02


1 No data is available for the years 2016/2017, because the first reporting will be done in 2018.

7

6f Length of the cross-border river bodies with unsatisfactory water quality status

Kilometres

22

.5

20

14

15

/

22

.5

22

.5

22

.5


11b.1 Level of sustainable institutional cooperation in the field of energy and risk management or health and social cohesion in the programme area

Scale

3,5

4

20

15

3,8

9

/

3.5

4

3.5

4

3.5

4


11b.2 Level of cross-border cooperation among municipalities and citizens in the programme area

Scale

2,4

1

20

15

2,6

5

/

2.4

1

2.4

1

2.4

1


8

TABLE 2: Common and programme specific output indicators (by priority axis, investment priority); applies also to technical assistance priority axes).

S – Selected operations F – Fully implemented operations*

ID Indicator (name of indicator)

Measurement unit

Target value (2023)

CUMULATIVE VALUE

Observations

(if necessary)

20

14

20

15

20

16

20

17

20

18

20

19

20

20

20

21

20

22

20

23

S CO01

Number of enterprises receiving support

Enterprises 15 0 0 6 11

F

S CO02

Number of enterprises receiving grants


F

S CO04

Number of enterprises receiving non-financial support


The target value set in the CP is already reached (plan in the selected projects) and even exeeded due to the high number of enterprises receiving non-financial support being directly affected by the project activities.

F

S CO26

Number of enterprises cooperating with research institutions


F

S CO29

Number of enterprises supported to introduce new to the firm products


The target value set in the CP is already reached (plan in the selected projects).

F

S 1b.1

Number of joint CB R&D projects

Number 8 0 0 1 4

F

9

S 1b.3

Number of joint CB internationalization projects involving SMEs

Number 7 0 0 2 4

F

S 6c.1

Number of newly developed and/or improved joint CB tourist products2

Number 16 0 0 15 18


F

S 6c.2

Number of projects targeting geodiversity or biodiversity

Number 3 0 0 0 0

There were no projects targeting geo- or biodiversity approved within the first two deadlines for submission.

F

S 6c.3

Number of sustainable tourism related services

Number 6 0 0 9 10


F

S CO42

Research institutions participating in CB research projects

Organisations

4 0 0 2 2

F

S 6f.1

Number of jointly developed water management strategies

Number 1 0 0 1 1


2 A tourist product can be defined as an individual service and/or good, which is used by a tourist on the way and the stay outside his permanent place of residence. A set of such set products can be named as an integral tourist

product. For the purposes of the Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria the definition can be specified in terms of sustainable tourism and defined as: ‘Tourism that takes full account of its current and future

economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities’. Thus, sustainable tourism should: 1. Make optimal use of environmental resources that

constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage. 2. Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living

cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance. 3. Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly

distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation. Reference: Making Tourism More Sustainable - A Guide for Policy

Makers, UNEP and UNWTO, 2005, p.11-12. Natural heritage comprises bio- and geo-diversity.

10

F

S 6f.2

Number of joint modelling, monitoring and forecasting studies and research works

Number 1 0 0 7 7


F

S 6f.3

Number of joint CB flood determination, protection and control measures

Number 1 0 0 0 0

There were no projects targeting flood determination, protection and control measures approved within the first two deadlines for submission.

F

S 11b.1

Number of institutions and/or organisations participating in joint CB initiatives

Number

100 0 0 35 141


F

S 11b.2

Number of people participating in joint training schemes and programmes

Number 200 0 0 222 972


F

S 11b.3

Number of joint CB pilot and demonstration projects

Number 5 0 0 7 26


F

S 11b.4

Population covered by improved public services

Number 200,000 0 0 0 900

F

S TH.1 Number 4 0 7 7 7

11

F

Number of joint CB projects successfully implemented and concluded

S TH.2

Number of joint CB informational and publicity events

Number 10 0 10 10 10

F 1 2 3 4

S

TH.3

Number of employees (FTEs) whose salaries are co-financed by the Technical Assistance

Number

10 0 10 10 10

F 0 7.7 11.1

11,05

The number of FTEs already employed and co-financed by the Technical Assistance.

S

TH.4

Information, consultation and training measures for applicants and beneficiaries on the project generation

Number

8 0 8 8 8

F 0 0 4 5

S TH.5

Number of trainings for the beneficiaries, programme structures

Number 10 0 10 10 10

F 0 0 2 6

S

TH.6 The number of visitors of the programme website

Number

10,000 10,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

F 0 2,384

19,625

31,131

* S - Selected operations [forecast provided by beneficiaries]

F - Fully implemented operations [actual achievement]

12

3.3 Milestones and targets defined in the performance framework (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) – submitted in annual implementation reports from 2017 onwards

Reporting on financial indicators, key implementation steps, output and result indicators to act as milestones and targets for the performance framework (submitted starting

with the report in 2017).

TABLE 3: Information on the milestones and targets defined in the performance framework

Pri

ori

ty A

xis

Ind

icat

or

Typ

e (

Ke

y

imp

lem

en

tati

on

ste

p, f

inan

cia

l,

ou

tpu

t o

r, w

he

re

app

rop

riat

e r

esu

lt

ind

icat

or)

ID

Ind

icat

or

or

key

imp

lem

en

tati

on

ste

p

Me

asu

rem

en

t u

nit

,

wh

ere

ap

pro

pri

ate

Mile

sto

ne

fo

r 2

01

8

Fin

al t

arge

t (2

02

3)

20

14

20

15

20

16

20

17

20

18

20

19

20

20

20

21

20

22

20

23

Ob

serv

atio

ns

(if

ne

cess

ary)

1 Financial indicator

A.1.1

Payments: Certified and declared to the EC

Nu

mb

er

2,1

21

,00

8.4

0

17

,67

5,0

70

.00

0

0

0

66

4,7

83

.23

Payments for 6 reports of the LPs were certified and declared to the EC by the end of the year 2017.

1 Output CO01

Number of enterprises receiving support (CI)

Ente

rpri

se

s 2

15

0

0

0

0

Within the approved projects there are 11 enterprises receiving support. The value will be reported after the completion of projects covering this indicator.


A.2.1


Nu

mb

er

2,6

86

,29

9.0

7

20

,66

3,8

39

.00

0

0

0

51

1,9

29

.10


13

2 Output indicator A.2.2

Number of jointly developed water management strategies N

um

ber

0

1

0

0

0

0

The value will be reported after the completion of projects covering this indicator.

2 Key implementation step

A.2.3

Number of operations developing water management strategies (approved operations) N

um

ber

1

1

0

0

1

1

Within the approved projects there is one project developing water management strategies.


Number of newly developed and/or improved joint CB tourist products

Nu

mb

er

0

16

0

0

0

0

Within the approved projects there are 18 joint CB tourist products being newly developed and/or improved. The value will be reported after the completion of projects covering this indicator.

2 Key implementation step

A.2.5

Number of operations developing newly and/or jointly approved CB tourist products (approved operations) N

um

ber

2

4

0

0

4

5


A.3.1


Nu

mb

er

1,7

50

,62

8.2

8

14

,58

8,5

69

.00

0

0

0

21

4,0

03

.13


14


Number of institutions and/or organisations participating in joint CB initiatives N

um

ber

5

10

0

0

0

0

0

Within the projects approved in 2016 and 2017, there are 141 institutions and/or organisations participating in joint CB initiatives. The value will be reported after the completion of projects covering this indicator.

15

3.4. Financial data (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

TABLE 4: Financial information at priority axis and programme level as set out in Table 1 of Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1011/20143 [Model

for transmission of financial data]4 and table 16 of model for cooperation programmes under the European territorial cooperation goal

Where applicable, the use of any contribution from third countries participating in the cooperation programme should be provided (for example IPA and ENI, Norway,

Switzerland)

/

Priority Axis

Fund Calculation basis

Total funding Co-financing rate

Total eligible cost of operations selected for support

Proportion of the total allocation covered with selected operations

Public eligible cost of operations selected for support

Total eligible expenditure declared by beneficiaries to the managing authority

Proportion of the total allocation covered by eligible expenditure declared by beneficiaries

Nu

mb

er

of

op

era

tio

ns

sele

cte

d

A.1 ERDF Total 17,675,070.00 85.00% 12,415,846.31 70.24% 11,642,922.82 664,783.23 3.76% 11

A.2 ERDF Total 20,663,839.00 85.00% 9,168,764.40 44.37% 8,829,631.08 511.929.10 2.48% 6

A.3 ERDF Total 14,588,569.00 85.00% 6,858,764.89 47.01% 6,739,349.12 214,003.13 1.47% 6

B.1 ERDF Total 4,285,715.00 70.00% 4,666,967.16 108.90% 4,666,967.16 547,974.73 12.79% 7

Total ERDF 57,213,193.00 83.88% 33,110,342.76 57.87% 31,878,870.18 1,938,690.19 3.39% 30

3 OJ L 286, 30.9.2014, p. 1. 4 Structured data required for the report on YEI which is to be submitted in April 2015 in accordance with Article 19(3) and Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013.

16

TABLE 5: Breakdown of the cumulative financial data by category of intervention (Article 112(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 5

of Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013) as set out in Table 2 of Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1011/2014 [Model for transmission of financial data] and

tables 6-9 of Model for cooperation programmes

Priority axis

Fund Intervention field

Form of finance

Territorial dimension

Territorial delivery

mechanism

Thematic priority

dimension

Economic dimension

Location dimension

Total eligible cost of operations selected

for support (€)

Public eligible cost of operations selected

for support (€)

The total eligible expenditure declared by beneficiaries to

the managing authority

Nr. of operations

selected

A.1 ERDF 60 1 1 7 1 6 SI013 1.151.814,84 1,085,112.84 131,217.79 1

A.1 ERDF 62 1 1 7 1 22 AT221 811.955,00 759,003.56 0.00 1

A.1 ERDF 62 1 1 7 1 24 SI012 926.308,67 890,567.64 0.00 1

A.1 ERDF 62 1 1 7 1 24 SI023 1.765.009,00 1,703,284.00 0.00 1

A.1 ERDF 62 1 2 7 1 24 AT224 852.058,55 852,058.55 52,231.09 1

A.1 ERDF 63 1 1 7 1 14 AT221 841.191,80 709,015.65 0.00 1

A.1 ERDF 63 1 1 7 1 24 AT221 1.408.309,65 1,354,631.88 0.00 1

A.1 ERDF 63 1 2 7 1 14 AT226 1.229.369,20 1,071,450.83 97,467.87 1

A.1 ERDF 67 1 1 7 1 14 AT221 850.755,00 779,530.25 296,515.22 1

A.1 ERDF 67 1 1 7 1 24 SI012 1.181.718,20 1,126,885.70 0.00 1

A.1 ERDF 67 1 3 7 1 24 SI011 1.397.356,40 1,311,381.92 87,351.26 1

A.2 ERDF 21 1 3 7 6 11 AT221 1.791.158,08 1,760,344.53 0.00 1

A.2 ERDF 85 1 3 7 6 15 AT221 1.320.853,13 1,320,853.13 76,716.13 1

A.2 ERDF 91 1 3 7 6 15 AT224 1.883.654,99 1,768,982.99 156,999.33 1

A.2 ERDF 91 1 3 7 6 15 SI022 2.464.908,17 2,368,365.36 0.00 1

A.2 ERDF 93 1 3 7 6 15 SI021 823.446,29 815,130.41 0.00 1

A.2 ERDF 94 1 2 7 6 15 AT113 884.743,74 795,954.66 278,213.64 1

A.3 ERDF 13 1 1 7 11 22 AT211 1.421.261,00 1,388,190.65 0.00 1

A.3 ERDF 96 1 1 7 11 21 SI021 839.934,60 839,934.60 0.00 1

A.3 ERDF 96 1 3 7 11 24 AT213 723.486,64 704,725.22 49,065.03 1

A.3 ERDF 112 1 1 7 11 21 AT225 1.183.400,00 1,116,140.00 111,869.19 1

A.3 ERDF 118 1 2 7 11 19 AT224 786.281,15 785,957.15 53,068.91 1

A.3 ERDF 119 1 2 7 11 15 AT224 1.904.401,50 1,904,401.50 0.00 1

B.1 ERDF 121 1 7 7 18 AT112 110.875,76 110,875.76 27,582.62 1

B.1 ERDF 121 1 7 7 18 AT211 313.632,61 313,632.61 11,773.96 1

B.1 ERDF 121 1 7 7 18 AT221 554.378,82 554,378.82 0.00 1

B.1 ERDF 121 1 7 7 18 SI012 2.240.000,00 2,240,000.00 263,434.25 1

B.1 ERDF 121 1 7 7 18 SI017 350.378,00 350,378.00 37,735.85 1

B.1 ERDF 121 1 7 7 18 SI021 1.097.701,97 1,097,701.97 207,448.05 2

Total ERDF 33.110.342,76 31,878,870.18 1,938,690.19 30

17

TABLE 6: Cumulative cost of all or part of an operation implemented outside the Union part of the programme area

1 2 3 4 5

The amount of ERDF support* envisaged to be used for all or part of an operation implemented outside the Union part of the programme area based on selected operations (EUR)

Share of the total financial allocation to all or part of an operation located outside the Union part of the programme area (%) (column 2/total amount allocated to the support from the ERDF at programme level *100)

Eligible expenditure of ERDF support incurred in all or part of an operation implemented outside the Union part of the programme area declared by the beneficiary to the managing authority (EUR)

Share of the total financial allocation to all or part of an operation located outside the Union part of the programme area (%) (column 4/total amount allocated to the support from the ERDF at programme level *100)

All or part of an operation outside the Union part of the programme area5

Not applicable for CP Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria.




* ERDF support is fixed in the Commission decision on the respective cooperation programme.

5 In accordance with and subject to ceilings set out Article 20 of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013.


18

4. SYNTHESIS OF THE EVALUATIONS (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) Synthesis of the findings of all evaluations of the programme that have become available during the

previous financial year, including the name and reference period of the evaluation reports used.

The Evaluation of the Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria, July 2017 was performed by

an external evaluator. The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the

programme implementation with a focus on processing the 1st and 2nd deadline of the open call for

proposals. The main goal was to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the programme structures and

programme procedures, the achievement of the foreseen simplification and harmonization, the progress

of the programme towards achieving the targets of the specific objectives and the progress in implementing

the communication strategy and the set objectives.

The analysis was mainly based on monitoring data provided by the Joint Secretariat, data from the

application forms (in the electronic Monitoring System, eMS) and data available on the programme

website. In addition, data was collected through a survey and through interviews. The survey was carried

out with Lead Partners who applied in the frame of the 1st and 2nd deadline of the open call. Project partners

cooperating in projects approved in the 1st deadline have reported for the first time. Therefore, the scope

of the analysis was extended to collect feedback also from the representatives of the first level control units

(FLCs). The assessment of the progress towards the achievement of the programme specific objectives was

made on the basis of the expected contributions of the approved projects, since the implementation is still

in the kick-off phase.

In general, the programme structures are fairly effective with room for improvement of cooperation at the

programme level. Personnel within all analysed programme bodies was appointed and has sound

knowledge and competence enriched with experience from previous programme periods and also from

operation of other cross-border cooperation programmes. Rules and procedures concerning the work of

programme bodies in the assessment and selection process were established and followed. At the time

the evaluation was carried out, bottlenecks existed within the FLC Styria due to a lack of personnel. IT

support regarding the eMS did not seem sufficient. With more projects in implementation and almost

identical deadlines for submission of the project partner progress reports in other ETC programmes,

bottlenecks could emerge (example FLC Slovenia) in the future. At programme level, differences between

the Austrian and Slovenian side exist in approaches and views to cooperation and expectations. The

different views have so far not been sufficiently addressed. This could reduce the overall effectiveness of

cooperation at the programme level and affect negatively the quality of support provided to the project

level.

The established programme procedures allowed for processing the first two deadlines of the open call in a

fairly effective and efficient manner. The programme delivery mechanisms aiming at simplification,

harmonisation and increased efficiency of implementation have reduced user friendliness for the

applicants/beneficiaries, mainly due to the strict administrative and eligibility check. The high level of

rejections due to formal reasons limited the range of projects that could have been assessed for their

quality and discussed by the MC. This was in particular notable under specific objectives (SOs), where only

a few applications were received. An example is priority axis 2 - 6f, where so far the only project applied

and approved in the 1st deadline is in implementation, whereas both applied in the 2nd deadline did not

pass the administrative and eligibility check. Outcomes of certain procedures directly affect the processing

of the following deadlines and, therefore, it is too early to assess the overall efficiency of the programme.

Relatively small importance was given to financial aspects of the application, especially when compared

with the level of details requested in the Application Form. Innovation is assessed under guiding principles

for projects addressing 6f, however, there is no explanation (in the Cooperation Programme and

Implementation manual for beneficiaries) of what is considered innovative.

The overall timeline from the project submission to signing of the subsidy contract depends mainly on the

number of received applications. The intension to announce two deadlines per year will be difficult to

follow in case the number of submitted applications is high. In addition, the overall management of the


19

open call showed a time lag between the decision on the selection of projects in the 2nd deadline and the

decision on the announcement of the 3rd deadline.

The evaluator assessed that the FLC checks are to a great extent progressing well with the exception of the

FLC in Styria, where delays are occurring due to lack of personnel. The applied approaches between the

Slovenian and Austrian FLCs differ mainly in how the project partners are treated in case the expenditure

cannot be certified due to missing supplements or clarifications.

The eMS is one of the harmonisation tools that has a potential to become an effective and efficient solution

for the overall programme management. The current performance of the system has not achieved its

optimal level yet.

The programme uses the eMS and HIT tools and has potential to harmonise the implementation with other

cross-border cooperation programmes, however, the extent of harmonisation was not possible to assess

in the frame of the evaluation. The envisaged use of simplified cost options is likely to be partially achieved.

The flat rate for office and administrative costs contributes the most to the simplification. Considering the

relatively high share of staff costs in the overall project budgets, the actual possibilities for the use of flat

rates for staff costs are moderate.

The implementation of projects was in the early phase and the actual progress could not be assessed yet.

Overall, the programme is likely to progress relatively well in all priority axes, however, with some

exceptions in specific areas or sectors of interventions. These include: cooperation between the research

institutions and enterprises, cross-border R&D projects and internationalisation projects under priority axis

1, projects addressing geodiversity and biodiversity in priority axis 2 - 6c, projects dealing with flood

determination, protection and control measures in priority axis 2 - 6f and projects addressing public

services for citizens and cooperation in risk management under priority axis 3. Expected contributions show

that some targets are likely to be exceeded by several times and could have been underestimated during

programming. The programme is so far less successful in terms of geographical distribution of

implementation. The concentration of PPs is the highest in Podravska, Osrednjeslovenska, Pomurska and

Graz. Other regions were successful to a lesser extent with Zasavska region not yet participating in the

programme.

PA 1: The 11 projects in implementation are well distributed in terms of specific objectives they address.

The expected contributions to the achievement of the programme output indicators are well above the

targets set (indicator CO04-number of enterprises receiving support). The expected contribution is the

lowest for the indicator CO26 (35 %) counting the cooperation between enterprises and research

institutions. Projects addressing cross-border R&D and internationalisation are still missing.

PA 2: The expected contributions of the 6 approved projects to programme indicator targets seem

promising asmost of them are likely to be exceeded. So far, none of the approved projects under SO 2.1

addressed geodiversity or biodiversity. Under SO 2.2., one approved project alone met and exceeded target

values of indicators 6f.1 and 6f.2, while the indicator 6f.3 has not been addressed yet. Programme output

indicators 6c.1 and 6c.3 are not sufficiently defined. The Cooperation Programme defines a formulation of

a tourist product, which is well described in terms of sustainability and rather open in terms of what is

actually understood as a cross-border tourist product. Similarly, the term sustainable tourism related

services is rather vague and not defined in more detail in the Cooperation Programme. The Cooperation

Programme foresees only one result indicator – overnight stays, which is not likely to capture all envisaged

programme results as indicated above.

PA 3: The 6 projects approved are expected to exceed targets for 3 out of 4 indicators. The likely

contribution of projects to targets of indicator 11.4 is very low, whereby 48 % of funds have already been

committed. In terms of sectors covered, none of the projects has addressed risk management yet.

PA 4: The achievement of targets for the technical assistance projects is progressing well. The staff and

teams have been set up and operating, although at that time not to full extent (FLC in Styria) yet.

Information actions and support to applicants and beneficiaries are implemented according to plan.


20

It was recommended that the programme structures should intensify project generation in the

areas/sectors not yet covered sufficiently by approved projects. Workshops for applicants should be used

to encourage participant to explore possibilities of project development in the areas where gaps were

identified. The programme should consider reviewing the programme intervention logic and complement

the existing system of indicators with additional ones and include them in monitoring activities.

In the frame of the evaluation, also the progress in implementing the communication strategy was

assessed. The programme website, which is the key communication tool, has in line with the

communication phases so far focused on informing and supporting the applicants and beneficiaries. This

has been achieved and is also reflected in the high percentage of users according to the survey. Targets

regarding the website visits have been underestimated. The challenge is how to promote the website to be

used by more users from Austria. Other activities (such as events, workshops, created info material, etc.)

supporting the applicants and beneficiaries, are following the implementation processes. Although the

general public has so far not been addressed to a bigger extent, this is expected in the coming period when

the first project activities and outputs become visible.

5. ISSUES AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAMME AND MEASURES TAKEN (ARTICLE 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) a) Issues which affect the performance of the programme and the measures taken

In 2017, there were no specific direct problems, which would endanger the performance of the programme.

The first projects continued with the implementation of their activities and another 10 projects were

approved by the MC. Based on the evaluation of the 1st and 2nd deadline for the submission of projects, it

was determined that within all three priority axes the values of some indicators are still missing, therefore,

the programme decided to steer the third deadline for submission and published this information on the

programme website, stressed this at the workshops for potential applicants, etc.

Regarding the designation process, all activities started already in 2015 and continued in 2016 with the

preparation of the Description of Management and Control System (DMCS) and all required Programme

guidelines. As provided in the report of the Audit Authority dated on 8 March 2017 the MA, and the CA

designated for the programme comply with the designation criteria.

b) OPTIONAL FOR LIGHT REPORTS, otherwise it will be included in point 9.1 (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

An assessment of whether progress made towards targets is sufficient to ensure their fulfilment,

indicating any remedial actions taken or planned, where appropriate

/

6. CITIZEN'S SUMMARY (Article 50(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

A citizen's summary of the contents of the annual and the final implementation reports shall be made

public and uploaded as a separate file in the form of annex to the annual and the final implementation

report

The citizen's summary is prepared as a separate document and will be uploaded in the SFC and

published on the programme’s website.


21

7. REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Article 46 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) Where the managing authority decided to use financial instruments it must send to the Commission a

specific report covering the financial instruments operations as an annex to the annual implementation

report


22

8. WHERE APPROPRIATE, PROGRESS IN PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF MAJOR PROJECTS AND JOINT ACTION PLANS (Article 101(h) and Article 111(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(3)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013)


8.1. Major projects


TABLE 7: Major projects

Project CCI Status of MP

1.

completed

2. approved

3. submitted

4. planned

for

notification/

submission

to

Commission

Total

inves

tmen

ts

Total

eligible

costs

Planned

notification/

submission

date

(if

applicable)

(year,

quarter)

Date of

tacit

agreement

/ approval

by

Commissio

n

(if

applicable)

Planned

start

of

impleme

ntation

(year,

quarter)

Planned

completion

date

(year.

quarter)

Priority

Axis/Inv

estment

priorities

Current

state of

realisatio

n –

financial

progress

(% of

expendit

ure

certified

to

Commiss

ion

compare

d to total

Current state of

realisation -

physical progress

Main

implementation

stage of the

project

1.completed/in

operation;

2.advanced

construction;

3. construction;

4. procurement;

5. design

Main

output

s

Date of

signatur

e of first

works

contract6

(if

applicabl

e)

Obse

rvatio

ns (if

neces

sary

6 In the case of operations implemented under PPP structures the signing of the PPP contract between the public body and the private sector body (Article 102(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013).

23

eligible

cost)

<type='

S'

input='

G'>

<ty

pe='

S'

inp

ut='

G'>

<type='S'

input='S'>

<type

='N'

input

='M'>

<type='

N'

input='

M'>

<type='D'

input='G'>

<type='D'

input='G'>

<type='D'

input='G'

>

<type='D'

input='G'>

<type='S'

input='G'

>

<type='P'

input='M

'>

<type='S'

input='S'>

<type='

S'

maxlen

gth=87

5

input='

M'>

<type='D'

input='M

'>

<type

='S'

maxle

ngth=

875

input

='M'>

Significant problems encountered in implementing major projects and measures taken to overcome them.

<type='S' maxlength=3500 input='M'>

Any change planned in the list of major projects in the cooperation programme


24

8.2. Joint action plans

Progress in the implementation of different stages of joint action plans


TABLE 8: Joint action plans

Title of

the JAP

CCI Stage of

implementati

on of JAP

1. completed

2. > 50%

implemented

3. Started

4. approved

5. submitted

6. planned

Total

eligible

costs

Total

public

support

OP

contributi

on to JAP

Priority

axis

Type of

JAP

1. normal

2. pilot

3. YEI

[Planned]

submissio

n to the

Commissi

on

[Planned]

start of

implementati

on

[Planned]

completion

Main

outputs

and results

Total

eligible

expenditur

e certified

to the

Commissio

n

Observatio

ns (if

necessary)

<type='

S'

input='

G'>

<ty

pe=

'S'

inp

ut='

G'>

<type='S'

input='S'> <type='

N'

input='

M'>

<type='N

'

input='M

'>

<type='N'

input='M'

>

<type='S'

input='G'

>

<type='S'

input='S'> <type='D'

input='M'

>

<type='D'

input='M'> <type='D'

input='M'> <type='S'

maxlength

=875

input='M'>

<type='N'

input='M'> <type='S'

maxlength

=875

input='M'>

Significant problems encountered and measures taken to overcome them



25

PART B - REPORTING SUBMITTED IN YEARS 2017, 2019 AND FINAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013)

9. ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013)

9.1 Information in Part A and achieving the objectives of the programme (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

FOR EACH PRIORITY AXIS - Assessment of the information provided above and progress towards achieving

the objectives of the programme, including the contribution of the ERDF to changes in the value of result

indicators, when evidence is available from evaluations

9.2. Specific actions taken to promote equality between men and women and to promote non-discrimination, in particular accessibility for persons with disabilities, and the arrangements implemented to ensure the integration of the gender perspective in the cooperation programme and operations (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(4), subparagraph 2, (d) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013)

An assessment of the implementation of specific actions to take into account the principles set out in Article

7 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 on promotion of equality between men and women and non-

discrimination, including, where relevant, depending on the content and objectives of the cooperation

programme, an overview of specific actions taken to promote equality between men and women and to

promote non-discrimination, including accessibility for persons with disabilities, and the arrangements

implemented to ensure the integration of the gender perspective in the cooperation programme and

operations

9.3. Sustainable development (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(4), subparagraph 2, (e) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013)

An assessment of the implementation of actions to take into account the principles set out in Article 8 of

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 on sustainable development, including, where relevant, depending on the

content and objectives of the cooperation programme, an overview of the actions taken to promote

sustainable development in accordance with that Article

9.4. Reporting on support used for climate change objectives (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)


26

Figures calculated automatically by the SFC2014 based on categorisation data.

Priority axis Amount of support to be used for climate change objectives (EUR)

Proportion of total allocation of the programme (%)

A.2 1,058,083.80 6.02%

Total 1,058,083.80 2.20%

9.5 Role of partners in the implementation of the cooperation programme (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(4), subparagraph 1, (c) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013)

Assessment of the implementation of actions to take into account the role of partners referred to in Article

5 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, including involvement of the partners in the implementation,

monitoring and evaluation of the cooperation programme

10. OBLIGATORY INFORMATION AND ASSESSMENT ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 14(4), Subparagraph 1 (a) and (b), of REGULATION (EU) No 1299/2013

10.1 Progress in implementation of the evaluation plan and the follow-up given to the findings of evaluations

10.2 The results of the information and publicity measures of the Funds carried out under the communication strategy

11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WHICH MAY BE ADDED DEPENDING ON THE CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME (Article 14(4), subparagraph 2 (a), (b), (c) and (f), of REGULATION (EU) No 1299/2013)

11.1 Progress in implementation of the integrated approach to territorial development, including sustainable urban development, and community-led local development under the cooperation programme

/

11.2 Progress in implementation of actions to reinforce the capacity of authorities and beneficiaries to administer and to use the ERDF

11.3 Contribution to macro-regional and sea basin strategies (where appropriate)


27

11.4 Progress in the implementation of actions in the field of social innovation

/

12. Financial information at priority axis and programme level (Articles 21(2) and 22(7) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) For the purpose of assessing progress towards the achievement of milestones and targets set for financial

indicators in the years 2018 and 2023, table 4 of Part A of this Annex shall have the following two additional

columns:

13 14

Data for the purpose of the performance review and performance framework

Only for report submitted in 2019:

Total eligible expenditure incurred and paid

by beneficiaries and certified to the

Commission by 31/12/2018

Article 21(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

Only for final implementation report: Total

eligible expenditure incurred and paid by

beneficiaries by 31/12/2023 and certified to the

Commission

Article 22(7) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013


28

PART C - REPORTING SUBMITTED IN YEAR 2019 AND FINAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT (Article 50(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

13. SMART, SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH Information and assessment of the programme contribution to achieving the Union strategy for smart,

sustainable and inclusive growth.

/

14. ISSUES AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAMME AND MEASURES TAKEN – PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) Where the assessment of progress made with regard to the milestones and targets set out in the

performance framework demonstrates that certain milestones and targets have not been achieved,

Member States should outline the underlying reasons for failure to achieve these milestones in the report

of 2019 (for milestones) and in the final implementation report (for targets).

/

annual implementation report 2017 - en interreg si-at · this is the third annual implementation...

Documents